1979 (eBook)

Description

Its 1979 and Tom Buzby is thirteen years old and living in the small working- class city of Chatham, Ontario. So far, so normal. Except that Toms dad is the local tattoo artist, his mother is a born-again former stripper whos run off with the minister from the church where the pet store used to be, and his sister cant wait to leave town for good. And everyone along his daily newspaper route looks at him a little differently, this boy whos come back from the dead, who just might be the only one who understands the miraculous, heart-breaking mystery that is their lives.Set in the year that real newspaper headlines told of North Americas hard turn to the right,1979offers a smalltowntake on the buried lives of those who almost never make the news, and one boys attempt to make sense of it all.Praise for1979[An] entertaining new novel. MetroAs Robertson traces Toms coming of age, he explores themes of innocence lost, wisdom gained and learning to forgive [Robertsons] talent as a writer shows in his clear prose and ability to create unique and believable characters. Winnipeg Free PressIm always on board for a new Ray Robertson novel, and one wonders what will have to happen for him to get to the front rank of Canadian writing, as he so richly deservesRay has a light touch; writes clean, punchy sentences; and has a musicality and movement in his prose that is a singular gift. Ill drop pretty much anything to read whatever he writes.49thShelfOne to watch for, if you enjoy small-town Canadian stories, is1979by Ray Robertson. Tom Buzby, a thirteen year-old living in Chatham, Ontario, narrates this sweetly nostalgic coming-of-age story about Toms developing interest in girls, his understanding of his parents divorce, and his discovery of various rock bands (you could make an amazing playlist from records mentioned in this novel). I also loved reading about the dynamic between Tom and his sister, Julie. What makes this story a true gem however, is how Toms narrative is interspersed with a glimpse into the very private lives of his neighbours, including the people whose papers he delivers, and those whose paths cross his for other reasons.Ottawa Public LibraryPraise for Ray RobertsonSharp-tongued as Robertson ponders family and home as well as what it means to love someone and to lose someone and to have to go on living anyway, he presents an intriguing character whose very real troubles are offset by bright flashes of hope.Publishers Weekly filled with sly wit and keen observation an exceptional novel by one of the countrys finest literary voices.The National Post